Manchester City midfielder Rodwell suffers injury setback

The England international will be out until the new year after re-aggravating a hamstring strain that has kept him out of action since October.

Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell has confirmed he has suffered an injury setback and will not be back in action until the calendar turns to 2013.

The 21-year-old England international moved to City from Everton in the summer, but he has managed just six appearances so far due to a litany of injuries. Rodwell returned to training recently after initially recovering from a hamstring strain that has kept him out since October, but he suffered a relapse of the injury, which will keep him out until January.

"It will probably be another few weeks, so I'm looking into the new year. I'm doing quite a lot of training at the minute though, so I'm keeping busy," Rodwell told the club’s official website. "It's down to strengthening now, so I'm doing a lot of work in the gym and am just getting it right to prevent another injury.

"It's been a frustrating start to the season and to my City career, but I'm focused now and I'm ready to get back."

Rodwell will miss games against Reading, Sunderland and Norwich, and, depending on his comeback date, he could also miss matches versus Stoke, Arsenal and Fulham in the coming weeks.